June 26, 2010

I think I've come up with one of the problems with this painting. It's too cool. It's supposed to be a summer day and since I live in Kelowna I picture it hot... this picture is not. Short of redoing the whole thing, I don't think I can change that. I really dislike the background colour... Even the sky bugs me... I guess I should take Katherine's advice... Put it away for a few days.

This is going to take lots more work I'm afraid. Back to the family portrait.

I'm stumped. I don't know what to do for this painting. I've put in all the details but it's lacking that something special....the sparkle I want. I've put a darker glaze in from the edges, I've added more lights to my boy... what's missing? Maybe it just needs more of what I've done but... but I nervous I'll wreck it.

Now that I've said all this I'm going to take the final leap and ask for a critique. If you have any ideas on what I should do to improve it... let me know. Asking this is always scary, especially when I send it out to the whole wide web. I know I've got a long way to go before I get to where I want to be. So far to go...so little time.

June 23, 2010

Sunshine makes such a difference. The sun shines and I feel energetic and want to accomplish great things. When it's grey and there's a light drizzle in the air, I want to cuddle on the couch and read. Today it's sunny and life is good.

It took me four tries to download my picture this morning. First the batteries died. Then I got carried away and switched programs before the process was finished. I did however, finally succeed as you can see. I'm now working on the finishing glazes. It should be done soon but I have three long days of work ahead of me so I might not get back to it for a few days.

June 20, 2010

I'm back at work but I'm getting to my painting for a few minutes here and there. I also have to spend some time on the family portrait I need to finish for a wedding gift later this summer. I'd get a lot more done if I didn't spend as much time looking at blogs... but it's so enjoyable. I love reading about the adventures of Ralph, Carol, Sherry, Deb and so many others. I miss those like Myra who are away from the computer and can't check in. Many are fellow artists and I am blessed by their skill. Just looking at what they accomplish causes me to long for that mysterious quality that makes it so one can claim the title: artist. Sometimes I have it because I happen to create something that seems to me to qualify but mostly I claim it because of the company I keep, both in my community and in the blogging world. So thank you all my artist buddies. I love being and artist along side of you.

June 15, 2010

The one disadvantage of painting this size is that the canvas doesn't fit in the oven. Go ahead..., laugh. With heat set oils, it's really easy to pop the painting in the oven and dry the whole painting... not so when it doesn't fit. On this painting I have to dry each section with the heat gun. This is handy when I've painted a small area and I want it dried right away so I can glaze over it, BUT not so handy when I've painted all over the canvas. That's when I take a break. I go to my favourite chair put my feet up and use the dryer. Did I say it was a disadvantage? Hmmmm... maybe I was wrong. I hope you have a chance to sit back and put your feet up today too.

Things seem to be slowing down a bit. The garden's in, the tenants have arrived, the pot lucks are over and the condo is up to showing standard. Now it's basically maintenance...that of course can be enough. I'm back to work tomorrow but for today I get to relax and paint.

The picture attached shows yesterday's progress. I'm really enjoying this attempt at figures. I always wanted to try this but didn't have the courage. As you can see my figures are not too challenging but still a great start. I'm glad I stepped outside my box and tried something new. Have you tried something brand new lately... how'd it turn out.... better yet, did you enjoy it?

June 12, 2010

I just had to post about this great blog I've been watching for a while now. It's by sculptor Steve Worthington. He has the neatest contest going on. Don't miss your chance to win one of his awesome creations. Go to his blog and get the details.

June 11, 2010

Time is whizzing past! I just want to slow down so I can enjoy the passage better. Don't get me wrong; life is good. There just seems to be so much of it. Meetings, work, gardening, renting the cottage, realtors showing the condo....I just want to paint. The weather seems to be the same. Every time I look out, it's changed. It almost feels like someone speeded up the satellite image we see on the weather channel and I got caught in it.

Deep breath... the weather suddenly warmed up, the birds are singing and I'm reclining in my easy chair, blogging to my friends. Ain't life grand. I hope your life is as good as mine. God bless you all.

June 7, 2010

I love all the ideas for a story to go with my painting. I haven't had a lot of time to paint but I did get some of the blocking in done. I especially liked the suggestions fromSherry,Hilda and Padmaja. Thanks so much for all the comments that were made.

If there are any more ideas about what my little subject is thinking, please send them along.

June 1, 2010

They say if you want something done, give it to a busy person. That may be true. I've been working everyday and seem to have volunteer meetings almost every night and still I'm able to sneak in some painting. I'm excited about this project. It tells such a neat story and I find when I ask someone what they think the little boy is thinking, I get all sorts of answers...so cool. The picture isn't very good, but he's looking out at a big hole meant for skate boarding. His board is almost as big as he is. What do you think his thoughts are? If it's too vague wait until my next posting to give your answer.